Dr. Colarusso's Child Development Blog

​ Character: The Core of Strength Emanating from the Toddler Years: As a result of love and limits, particularly in regard to control of the body and its products, character emerges. Character may be defined as fixed patterns of behavior that provide stability to the personality. The tough, responsible integrity that is found in abundance in every mature adult originates here. Punctuality, conscientiousness and reliability appear as by-products of successful toilet training as well as inclinations to save and collect. In short, what takes place during the toddler years is the far-reaching modification and transformation of the personality which supply the individual with strength and stability.​ So armed, with strength and determination our young Samsons and Amazons are prepared to enter the next phase of development where they set their sights on bigger game, namely challenging Mom or Dad for the position of alpha male or female in the family. Their view of the larger world is limited by their mental and physical immaturity, and like dictators the world over, they expect to take by force what cannot be theirs. But, that’s a story for another book.